Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > NE Planning Zone > Needs: 6.3.15 Deer River Tap

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6.3.15 Deer River Tap

Tracking Number: 2009-NE-N2

Utility: Minnesota Power

Inadequacy. The MP 115 kV Line #28 already has several taps (two at Deer River for both Minnesota Power and GRE load serving and one at GRE Cohasset) and will have additional taps with planned new GRE facilities in the Nashwauk area (see Tracking Number 2003-NE-N9 ). The taps reduce reliability, create operation difficulties, and make maintenance work difficult to schedule.

A map of the area is shown on the following page.

Alternatives. Alternatives include doing nothing, construction of a short line segment to split the #28 Line into two separate lines, or construction of a 230/115 kV substation in Deer River.

Analysis. In the past, MP has proposed to add a 115 kV exit to the Boswell 115 kV substation and move the 28L Deer River tap to this new position. This would require construction of less than one mile of 115 kV transmission and split 28L into two separate lines, thus improving operating performance and reducing maintenance issues. However, since the proposed Bemidji-Grand Rapids 230 kV line (see Tracking Number 2005-NW-N2) will pass through the Deer River area, an alternative involving construction of a Deer River 230/115 kV substation is now also a viable alternative. This alternative would involve constructing a 230/115 kV substation adjacent to the proposed Bemidji-Grand Rapids line, connecting the existing 115 kV line in the Deer River area into this substation, and removing the majority of the existing 7.5 mile tap between Boswell and Deer River. This alternative would significantly improve reliability in the Deer River area as it would no longer be supplied by a radial line. However, this alternative is expected to be more costly and is dependent on the route alignment and permit conditions associated with the Bemidji-Grand Rapids 230 kV line.

Schedule. A final determination of which alternative is preferred would not likely be made until late 2010.

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